About the job

Job summary

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work in a government department that is at the forefront of current policy making decisions that will impact the UK and beyond? If yes then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.

Here at DESNZ we are securing the UK’s long term energy supply, bringing down energy bills and halving inflation. We are seizing the opportunities of Net Zero to lead the world in new green industries and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.

Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly its impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are Bold, we are Collaborative, we are Inclusive and we Learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive. 

We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

Find Out More

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforenergysecurityandnetzero?

You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/desnz-careers/

Job description

The Smart Metering Implementation Programme (SMIP) is looking for a motivated, organised and collaborative Correspondence and Parliamentary Affairs Officer.

SMIP is a major delivery programme spanning Government and industry, replacing traditional gas and electricity meters with smart meters in homes and small businesses across Great Britain.

Smart meters underpin cost-effective delivery of the government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, enabling renewable energy sources and new technologies to be integrated into the energy system.

Smart meters are also modernising energy for millions of consumers. They are bringing an end to estimated bills and manual meter reads, enabling prepayment customers to top-up remotely without leaving home, and providing consumers with near-real time information which they can use to save energy and cut their bills.

The External & Parliamentary Affairs Team works at pace, liaising with policy colleagues and the Department's press office to handle media enquiries and maximise opportunities to promote smart metering. The team also delivers Ministerial briefings, correspondence, Freedom of Information responses and leads on Parliamentary engagement on behalf of the Programme including briefing, Parliamentary Questions and legislation.

This is an exciting and varied role offering the opportunity to lead on high-profile work and build relationships with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external to Government and including at senior levels.

SMIP is a directorate of diverse skills, backgrounds, experience and personalities. We are a friendly, open, and supportive team who welcome and value people from all walks of life. We work on an exciting and complex agenda and we need a diverse skill set to help us deliver it.

If you want to work in a friendly, supportive team with clear purpose, with the chance to develop your skills and make a real impact, then this is the job for you!

Responsibilities include: 

• Working autonomously to lead on smart meter correspondence cases, including ministerial correspondence to MPs.

• Leading the team's relationship with the Department's central correspondence team.

• Using judgement to contribute to responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and Parliamentary Questions (PQs) as required.

• Helping to draft briefings, including for ministerial meetings and visits.

• Monitoring the team's delivery against fixed Departmental PQ, FOI and correspondence deadlines.

• Managing the team's records and providing Programme-wide summaries of parliamentary affairs, media enquiries, media coverage, publications, correspondence, FOI requests and briefings.

• Monitoring and managing.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Experience 

Your experience is not as important as your passion for making DESNZ a more effective organisation and enthusiasm for the work of our team. An interest in the energy sector and/or smart metering will be helpful, but not essential.

• You will take responsibility for managing your own workload and making effective decisions, consulting colleagues when appropriate.

• You will prioritise effectively and respond flexibly to the requirements of the team.

• You will have excellent attention to detail and produce consistently accurate work.

• You will be organised with the proven ability to plan ahead and meet deadlines.

• You will have strong interpersonal skills and be able to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels of seniority.

• You will be able to write clearly and adapt your style to difference audiences.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,310, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £6,833 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and behavioural statements. 

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to explain why you are interested in this role and how your skills and experience match what we are looking for by addressing the key responsibilities, skills and experience for the role as set out in the job advert.

Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements and personal statement.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement (Managing a Quality Service).

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The interview will consist of behaviour and strength based questions, as well as a written exercise.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 26/2/2024

Interview dates: w/c 11/4/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview. 

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero  from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DESNZ does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

DESNZ cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DESNZ holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service and Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.